มิติภาพรวมข้าวไทย

The north of Thailand features fertile mountainous areas and valleys suitable for rice farming. Types of rice farming in this region is categorised into three elevations – Lowland Rice, Upland Rice, and Terrace Rice. Strains of rice planted in the north are glutinous rice, paddy rice, and local strains that grow well under low-temperature climate.

The northeast is the largest plantation area of Thailand, accounting to half of the whole country. Glutinous rice is most planted in the upper northeast, while paddy rice is more popular in the lower northeast. Despite its harsh geographical character of dry highlands, the northeast is the source of some of the best-known rice strains, including the world-renowned Hom Mali rice from Thung Kula Ronghai.

The vast plains of the central region is nurtured by numerous rivers and canals and the country’s excellent irrigational systems. Therefore, this region is the strategic area of rice farming since the history. Most rice farmers living on the central plains grow paddy rice on clay-like soil. They also grow a strain of rice that is photo-insensitive, enabling them to have more than one rice season per year.

The rice plantations of the south is mountainous areas sided by two oceans, one on its east, and the other on its west. With its delayed rainy season, rice products from the south emerge in the market later than those from other parts of the country. Despite having small area for rice farming and high salinity and acidity in soil, southern rice farmers have well chosen their best strains of rice suitable for the soil character.

Rice cultivation is the beginning of the very important production process of high-quality, clean, and safe rice products. The centuries of accumulated wisdom have been passed on through generations, now bring about different cultivation techniques for each region.

The fertile soils on different geographical characteristics and biodiversity are the genesis of the evolution of tens of thousands of rice strains that feature different colours, tastes, and nutritional benefits. Rice is the gift from the wisdom, gift from the land, that has been inherited through generations.

“Rice” is the cradle of civilisation of the Southeast Asian region. Here, rice is the basin of cultures and traditions that interlink us people with our communities, cities, and nations. Thailand is no difference. Rice here is the controller of the society, where the circle of life of rice is harmoniously intertwined with the circle of life of the people.